HUNTINGDON Racecourse is to get a £1.3million facelift next year as part of a national initiative to improve public facilities at courses across the UK. A total of £300million is to be invested in racecourses between now and 2011 after a report highlight

HUNTINGDON Racecourse is to get a £1.3million facelift next year as part of a national initiative to improve public facilities at courses across the UK.

A total of £300million is to be invested in racecourses between now and 2011 after a report highlighted the significant growth which has been taking place in the industry.

The report - Jump Racing Focus - found that racing was second only to football in terms of popularity and revenue.

The industry has already started multi-million pound improvements - capital expenditure over the past four years totalled £420million.

However, while much of the expenditure has already gone into new and improved facilities at courses, Huntingdon has just started looking in to how it can spend its money.

Speaking to The Hunts Post, managing director Amy Starkey, said: "The industry is thriving and attendance continues to rise at Huntingdon Racecourse and so money is being ploughed back into the course.

"The money we are given will be used for refurbishing and new building work. I'm excited about the improvements as I know once complete they will ensure that everyone who visits the course has a great day out."

Details of the first phase of the improvements - one of three - will be released next month and are expected to include basic improvements across the entire course and a new building.

The second and third phases are expected to attract further funding.

Work will start in January - after the course's biggest busiest meeting, the Boxing Day event, which is expected to attract 7,000 people this year.

Mike Broughton, chairman of the British Horseracing Board, said: "Jump racing has become a significant sporting and commercial success in recent years.

"Investment is the lifeblood which the sport depends upon in order to grow and develop. Without it, we would not see the great innovation which makes the sport so enjoyable."

INFORMATION: To find out more about Huntingdon Racecourse phone 01480 453373 or visit www.huntingdon-racecourse.co.uk